Product Information

Publisher's Description

Two-and-a-half centuries after his death, the complex life of composer Johann Sebastian Bach continues to fascinate.

Bach's colorful life was anchored in his belief that "music has been ordered by God's Spirit"?so much so that he began each composition by scrawling Jesu, juva (Jesus, help me) at the top of a blank page and concluded each with S.D.G. (short for Soli Deo Gloria, to God alone be the glory). Through the eyes of noted music and culture writer Rick Marschall, the intensely personal yet boldly public faith that earned Bach the nickname "The Fifth Evangelist" takes on fresh meaning. From a survey of Bach's family and its deep Christian roots to a behind-the-scenes look at how he crafted his masterpieces, this book paints a picture of an astonishing figure and his relationship with his God.

Marschall brings Bach's enduring music and influence to the postmodern world and to all who would draw inspiration from his relentless pursuit of divinely ordained creativity.

Author Bio

Rick Marschall has written or edited more than 60 books and many magazine articles. He has been a political cartoonist, newspaper columnist, magazine editor, book publisher, teacher, and lecturer.He is also President of Marschall Books, specializing in cartoon anthologies.Marschall has written many audio devotionals, and the answer book The Secret Revealed with Dr Jim Garlow (FaithWords, 2007). He served as Director of Product Development for Youth Specialties, a youth-ministry resource company.As a lifelong devotée of Baroque music and Bach in particular, Marschall has attended two Bach festivals in Europe; and commemorations in Augsburg, Germany, on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luthers birth.Marschall was the 2008 recipient of Christian Writer of the Year award from the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. He and his wife live in Swartz Creek, Michigan.

Author Info

Rick Marshall has written and edited 62 books and hundreds of magazine articles. He is the managing Director of Rosebud Archives, the nation's largest private image bank of historical graphics.

This book is a great historical background on Bach. I love music, and I'm a huge fan of Bach's compositions. This biography is a great start if a person wants to find out more about the great composer. There's a lot about the current events during Bach's time, and a great deal of other resources that a person can delve into if they want to find out more. After reading this book, I have a lot more respect for Bach. However, this book was a tough read. The writing style is somewhat bland and dry, and it took a lot of effort to get through this book, which is rare for me.

Johann Sebastian Bach is considered one of the greatest composers of all time---but did you know that he wrote Latin Masses for the Catholic Court of Dresden, or that he spent most of his time as a church music director in Germany? Discover the life, faith, work, struggles, and relationships of this highly respected musician who enriched his generation---and beyond!

I'm a musician myself, and I play J.S. Bach's music all the time, but I didn't really know anything about the man. This was great! I learned so much about him, his life, his family, and his music. I would definitely recommended this to a friend.

In accordance with new laws, I am required to say that I got this book for free from www.booksneeze.com in exchange for a review. I am not required to give a positive review.

There is no question after reading this detailed biography, written by Rick Marschall, that you will develop a deep respect and appreciation for J.S. Bach's many, many contributions to music.

From a survey of Bach's family and its deep Christian roots to a behind-the-scenes look at how he crafted his masterpieces, this book paints a picture of an astonishing figure and his relationship with his God.

I recommend this book for those who seek to know Johann Sebastian Bach through his contributions to music and how his devotion to God allowed him to be, as Marschall wrote, . . . "Bach was more than a mere devout composer of clever music. He was an evangelist who used music."

I have always felt the deep emotion of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and after reading this book, I have a clearer understanding why this piece fills me with a sense of purity and the holiness of Christ.

The book includes many detailed historical facts regarding the church during Bach's lifetime. The reader is allowed to develop a better understanding of the 18th century Lutheran church. We learn why Bach has often been referred to as "The Fifth Evangelist."

Bach's first instrument was the organ, which was his monumental achievement, both in his famous works and technical accomplishments.

In addition to church history and Bach's many musical modes and compositions, the book includes the personal life of Bach. He was an extremely devoted husband; his first wife, Maria died thirteen years after they were married and he then married Anna Magdalena Wiilcken. He was the father of twenty children, of whom ten survived to adulthood .

Finally, the book concludes with three helpful Appendix, his family, his chronology, and the annotated glossary of musical terms and forms used by Bach.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneezeÂ®.com <http://BookSneezeÂ®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Although several other reviews of this book complain that it is "boring", "dry", and "tiring", I personally did not find this to be at all true. It was definitely not written to entertain the reader, but it was extremely informative, and the variety of fact made it a very interesting read.

I would recommend this book had it not been for the last chapter. Although the author seems to stretch some facts a bit, the book was, for the most part, quite helpful in learning about Bach, his lifestyle, beliefs, and most of all, his music.

However, the last chapter almost completely ruined it all for me. There are several quotes from people who evidently consider Bach an idol. They compare him to a god, and although the author states that Bach would not have liked this, I really think that those quotes should have been left out altogether, or that Mr. Marschall could have at least come down a lot more strongly against that sort of thing.

If you do read this, I would recommend skipping the last chapter, and being cautious to double check various "facts", remembering that it is almost impossible for historians to know everything they ought, and that every historian has certain inescapable biases. That being said, I did enjoy the book overall.

6 out of 10 stars. â˜…â˜…â˜…â˜…â˜…â˜…â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson publishers for this review. I was not compensated in any other way, and I was not in any was obligated to write either a positive or negative review for them.

Ask anyone if Johann Sebastian Bach was talented and I think they would answer yes. However, to see Bach in the placement of his times is to reveal a new side to Bach and the way he viewed the world. I think this author brings to new life aspects of Bach's life. Johann Sebastian Bach was a genius, pure and simple. He could create melodies and hear notes nobody else could find. In an era where music was shifting, he found what worked well for him and stuck to him. This new biography of Bach focuses mainly on the music he created, but through his music the author shows how you cannot separate Bach's service to God from his creation of music. His whole life was dedicated to music but more than that, every work of music Bach created was a gift back to the Lord he served. An amazing and remarkable man comes through the pages of this book. The interesting focus on the influences of the day as well as the way in which Bach's biographical life is sketched out leaves one impressed and humbled by what one man can do who has dedicated all of his gifts and all of his life to the Lord. While at times this book felt a little like it was dedicated to the Bach music aficionado, the exploration of Bach's depth of compositions reveal just how much Bach did with his life. I really enjoyed this book and walked away with a deeper appreciation of just what dedicated service to God can really look like.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneezeÂ®.com <http://BookSneezeÂ®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255